ComicBook How has this not gotten more attention?
A fantasy story that's very grounded in reality with detailed believable descriptions of its own cultures and history. Its twisting turning plot has tons of back and forth scheming, while still having a good balance of emotions. There's lots of dark gore and deaths, but we can still find ourselves rooting for out heroine.
This also features women characters in the largest variety of roles that I've yet seen in any one story of any medium! We see women as strong survivors, as nasty scheming politicians, as scientists, as soldiers, as peasant mothers, as scared prisoners, as wrestlers. And yet it still has a few likeable and kickass male characters to the side as well.
The art is pure gorgeous with a mix of line shading and digital painting effects. Many of the scenes are well populated, and with terrific panel layouts. I've just read the first two volumes, but I cannot think of any reason to not get excited about this.
ComicBook Fascinating... if you can get past the near constant confusion.
This comic certainly has a lot going for it. An interesting cast of main characters (each with their own compelling backstories and motivations), an eye candy art, a fascinating world with a very rich lore and a plot full of intricate mysteries. The problem is, the lore and mysteries are a double edged sword for this story.
Monstress drops the reader In Medias Res, right in the middle of a pretty complex plot, takes it's sweet ass time to start explaining things like the main character's overall goal or the situation she's in, and expects the reader to learn too much too fast about the world, as we are bombarded with lore details left and right to the point of overload. Granted, things get slightly better in chapter two but the start is so confusing, many readers are bound to get turned off and not read as far. The start of the story is supposed to hook you, not leave you so confused you don't know which way is up.
That being said, if you initially show patience, the story that awaits you is well worth it. Our team of anti-heroes have a nice variety of personalities and they may surprise you more than once. Maika's relationship with her monster is the most compelling part of the story, the clever-tongued cat is an absolute joy, and the series even managed to create a kid sidekick that is endearing rather than annoying. The universe is fascinating, and opening each mystery box just makes you want to keep on reading.
I have a feeling that Monstress would be way more popular than it is if it handled its first chapter better.